Causes of alopecia areata

The cause of alopecia areata is believed to be an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune defenses mistakenly attack the hair follicles. Alopecia areata is not the result of another disorder, but some people may also have a coexisting thyroid disorder or vitiligo (a skin pigment disorder).

Recurrent and severe alopecia areata can prevent people from doing what they usually enjoy and starts to affect the mind as well. They may become shy, depressed and anxious. They may stop their activities, withdraw socially, and become preoccupied with their appearance. The mind-body complex is now fully affected and becomes a vicious circle which keeps an individual in suffering mode.

Symptoms of alopecia areata

Round, irregular patches of hair are suddenly lost. Around the edges of the patches are characteristic short, broken hairs, which resemble exclamation points.

The site of hair loss is usually the scalp or beard. Sometimes all the scalp hair is lost called as alopecia totalis. When hair is lost from around the side and back edges of the scalp it is called ophiasis, or hair is lost on the top of the head but not at the edges of the scalp called sisaipho. Rarely, all body hair is lost, a condition called alopecia universalis.

The nails may become pitted or rough, or the half moon at the base of the nails (the lunula) may be red.

Diagnosis of alopecia areata

A doctor’s thorough evaluation which includes physical; mental; emotional; social health and environmental influence. Through this evaluation doctors try to identify the causes, factors modifying it and the impact of it on the daily life quality of a person.

Doctors base the diagnosis of alopecia areata on the location and appearance of the patches. Doctors examine the scalp, body surface, and nails. To rule out other disorders, doctors may do testing.

Doctors ask how the person feels; eats; sleeps and goes through a routine day. Identifying these changes is critical because they can make the situation better or worse and, if present, must be treated for it to be treated effectively.

Homeopathic Treatment of alopecia areata

After a thorough evaluation, each case is worked upon and a set of similar medicines is derived, from which one single medicine which fits the patient’s presentation at that time, in relevant intensity and repetitions is given.

Some need only one medicine throughout the duration of treatment and some need few in sequence one after another across the treatment.

Timely follow-ups are essential to keep moving forward towards the goal of treatment and to identify, manage and overcome any obstacles to the outcome.

Outcome of Individualized Homeopathic Treatment

With Individualised Homeopathic treatment focused on the person who is suffering, the outlook is as follows:

• Reduces new patch emergence
• Brings back the lost hair
• Improves sleep
• Reduces recurrence
• Improves hair condition
• Restores function
• Better moods
• Improves quality of life

Each person is unique and hence the time taken for treatment and the results achieved are also unique. 

Try to consult a well qualified professional homeopath who practices adhering to the tenets of Hahnemannian Homeopathy for Best Outcomes.